Medicines in schools information for parents and carers

Medicines in Schools

A review of procedures regarding the administration of medication in schools has recently taken place within Education and Children’s Services and all schools are now required to operate within the new framework of guidance.

There is no obligation on school staff to administer medication of any kind to any child or young person, and parents are asked to note that routine medicine shall not be administered by the school.  The guiding principle adopted by providers and parents should be that medicines should be taken out of school hours.

Where children or young person require regular medication to be administered or self-administered during the school day, parents should complete the Parental Request for administering of medicine available from the school. This may include written guidance from a medical professional (your GP or Specialist) but please note the written instruction on the medication is normally sufficient if it is the original pharmacy label as this matches the prescription.

Some children or young people carry inhalers for asthma and related illness, which they self-administer at school. It is necessary that parents of children who carry their own medication complete the Asthma Plan so that an up-to-date record is held for each child carrying medication to school. Please contact the school for the appropriate form.

If a child or young person suffers from a chronic illness requiring long term medication or where medication may be required in an emergency situation, parents must contact the headteacher to discuss the situation. Children or young people with Asthma should have two inhalers available at all times, one should be held by the school for occasions where the child’s own device has ran out or is not immediately available. For those at risk of anaphylactic reaction two prescribed Adrenaline Auto-Injectors (AAIs) must be available at all times. This is particularly important for children and young people who also have allergic asthma as they are at increased risk of a severe anaphylactic reaction.